Swans could look to youth
The Sydney Swans will be hoping for more enthusiasm this week with a number of young players being considered for selection
SYDNEY Swans defender Ted Richards has flagged the possible inclusions of youngsters Gary Rohan and Nathan Gordon this week as they try to rediscover some form against St Kilda on Sunday.
Twenty-year-old Rohan, the sixth overall pick from the 2009 draft, has performed well in the reserves over the past fortnight after overcoming knee and hamstring injuries.
Gordon, 21, kicked six goals and had 16 marks in a 113-point victory over Queanbeyan in Canberra last Sunday, one week after being a travelling emergency for the match against Essendon.
With the Swans putting in a disappointing display against Richmond last weekend, Richards suggested the coaching staff could make some changes for the important game against the Saints at ANZ Stadium.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there were some team changes," Richards told reporters on Tuesday.
"I'm not involved in the process, but our reserves had a good win on the weekend and you hear floating around that Nathan Gordon and Gary Rohan both played good games.
"They both bring a good element, a different side to the team, so I'm not involved, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are [changes].
"[Enthusiasm is] what we didn't have on the weekend, so there's a possibility that they'll come in for that reason."
Reserves coach Henry Playfair was impressed with a number of his charges on Sunday, including Rohan, Jed Lamb and Jarred Moore.
But he felt the rookie-listed Gordon, who played his first two senior games in rounds seven and eight this season, was a stand-out.
"He was sensational," Playfair said. "His marking was the really pleasing aspect of his game on the weekend.
"He's had strong hands throughout his career, but the weekend was a highlight. To take 16 marks in a game, probably half of those were contested and half again were probably inside the forward 50."
Richards admits their review on Monday of the Tigers game was difficult to endure, but said the team was champing at the bit to make amends this week.
"Monday was a pretty tough day. We sat down and did the review and spoke about quite a few things," he said.
"We all addressed it and now it's about moving forward and looking at St Kilda this weekend.
"We knew what was at stake and with so few games left in the season, it was such a big game.
"The guys are that keen for training this week, we really want to turn it around."
Richards expects himself and fellow key defender Heath Grundy to have the job of quelling St Kilda duo Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke on Sunday.
He has been impressed by the Saints' turnaround, coming from near the bottom of the ladder a third of the way through the year to be in contention for a home final.
"Their second half of the season has been incredible," he said.
"If you're looking at a form ladder over the last two months, I think they'd be sitting second or third.
"I watched a bit of their game against Collingwood on the weekend and even though they lost, they played some really good football.
"We know they're in some good form."
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the AFL or the clubs